building a cobra from basically scratch

thefordguy · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 10:45 PM

thanks for the support guys. I've actually never "built" a car, I've restored quite a few though and I do care. Today I built the seat brackets and got the door latches installed, and I found out my boss is too cheap to even buy a non shiny pulley that fits so I had to fabricate one for the water pump. It was hard to get it square. I cut a section out of an existing pulley and welded them back together.

tcrist · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefordguy

thanks for the support guys. I've actually never "built" a car, I've restored quite a few though and I do care. Today I built the seat brackets and got the door latches installed, and I found out my boss is too cheap to even buy a non shiny pulley that fits so I had to fabricate one for the water pump. It was hard to get it square. I cut a section out of an existing pulley and welded them back together.

You should not weld that pulley together. It has a good chance of coming apart (balance) and knocking off every other item on the front of not only the engine but also the steering.

Think about it. That thing is could be turning 5-6k+.

thefordguy · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

You should not weld that pulley together. It has a good chance of coming apart (balance) and knocking off every other item on the front of not only the engine but also the steering.

Think about it. That thing is could be turning 5-6k+.

I don't see it coming apart, it's pretty thick metal and it's welded from both sides, do you know this from experience, or are you assuming?

thefordguy · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 11:00 PM

also, not sure if you guys know but I'm only 21 years old, Cars are basically my life, I can't keep a girlfriend because I care more about cars than anything. I've fully restored 5 cars and I'm an ASE certified master mechanic. I do the best I can, but I lack experience. so I'm sorry if I ask stupid questions or or make amateur mistakes. I'm still learning.

ACademic · #5 (**permalink**) 01-11-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefordguy

and I found out my boss is too cheap to even buy a non shiny pulley that fits so I had to fabricate one for the water pump. It was hard to get it square. I cut a section out of an existing pulley and welded them back together.

Your boss has just redefined the definition of "cheap skate." You should call the History Channel, because they need another reality TV show on fabbing stuff with a boss who's an ass. And I wish I had your fabbing skills when I was 21.

fasterpatrick · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2011, 06:36 PM

I must speak up now, Why don't we help the guy out, I personally don't have any pulleys laying around but given the crowd around here some one has the right pulley collecting dust on a shelf right now. Post up the back spacing you need and see if anyone has one they could ship you. Beats the heck out of the pain you could feel if it all goes wrong. By the way I feel your pain, I had the opportunity to work as a private mechanic for a person who could afford it, he own a driving school and a high-end auto service center also had many vintage race cars including a few Ferrari's, that I was to work on. BUT the man was so tight he ate pennies and sh*t dimes. he was a disorganized mess, heard stories about having someone drive a vintage in the parade at Monterey with out brakes.
Needless to say I ran from that like the wind didn't need the bad karma I was way above that. My suggestion to you is build your resume and get the hell out of there as fast as you can. Your skills are better served not having things like that hanging over your head.
Patrick